Rabies outbreak claims another victim

DENPASAR: An unnamed 25-year-old man allegedly died of rabies at Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar on Monday morning after two days of treatment.

The victim had admitted to being bitten by a stray dog in his village in Jimbaran four years ago.

Dr. Ken Wirasandhi from Sanglah said laboratory tests on the victim's were not yet available.

"However, he showed symptoms of rabies before he died," the doctor said.

Wirasandhi said doctors at the hospital had not conducted comprehensive medical and laboratory tests.

"Therefore, we are still unsure whether the dog bite was the cause of rabies. The dog bite occurred four years ago," he said. Rabies has claimed 35 victims since an outbreak began on the island in November 2008. - JP